Some artists shape a signature sound. Others shape a mindset. INCENDIE belongs to the latter - Berlin-based Arthur Bdt is an uncompromising libertine within the post-industrial realm, yet surprisingly coherent in his artistic expression. Known as one half of ATT Corp alongside HANDS artist Templer, he now presents “Drowning”, a solo album that carves out a world of its own within the HANDS catalogue.
“Drowning” is the result of over four years of experimentation: Born from a sense of feeling overwhelmed by the intense and destructive socio-political environment, the album channels this emotional weight into deep explorations of texture and distortion. Each track unfolds as a dense, evolving soundscape where intricate layers intertwine, seeking equilibrium with the relentless pulse of rhythmic structures. The rhythms provide a steady framework, while the shifting textures embody raw emotion- at times driving the momentum forward, at others pulling it into moments of tension and restraint. As the album progresses, it moves from abstract, experimental beginnings toward a more physical, club-oriented intensity, where propulsion and atmosphere merge into a hypnotic force. “Drowning” is a search for balance amid chaos, an immersion into complexity, and an invitation to lose oneself within the sound.
While the structure remains fluid and unorthodox, the album maintains its footing in the rhythmic, post-industrial soundscape, building from gentler, slower openings toward intense, propulsive climaxes. Treated guitar textures appear like ghost signals- never dominant, always lingering in the shadows- contributing to the album’s eerie, spectral presence.
More than just an auditory experience, “Drowning” becomes a mirror to the rawest aspects of existence. It refuses easy gratification, opting instead to mesmerize, challenge, and engulf the listener. A compelling and enigmatic addition to the HANDS roster, it invites you to let go, to sink- and to explore what lies beneath the surface.
HANDS - label for electronic music and art since 1990. HANDS is a pioneering label for contemporary electronic music, presenting artists from all over the world. The covered genres extend beyond the core business of Rhythm'n'Noise into the areas of IDM, Drum & Bass and Breakcore, Minimal Techno, Ambient, Electronica and Sound Art.